Supplements and bars get expensive.   The average protein bar costs between 1.50 – 3.00 a bar depending upon where you buy it.   Why not save yourself the a stack of cash and make your own protein bars with this quick and easy recipe from Muscle and Fitness Hers.

How Make Your Own Protein Bars

This recipe is for a carrot cake bar, but it can easily be changed to make multiple types just by subtracting or adding different ingredients.

Ingredients:

6 Scoops Vanilla Crème Proto Whey  – This can easily be any vanilla whey protein or even a vegan protein
2 cups Instant Oats
1 cup of grated carrots (I use the pulp left over from the juicer)
2 Tsp Cinnamon (for a little added spice add 1/3 tsp cloves
2 tbsp raw almond butter
1 tbsp flax seed
3 tbsp drained crushed pineapple
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4-1/2 cup of Water

Mix all of the dry ingredients together such as the whey, spices, oatmeal and flax.   Next add the almond butter, followed by the nuts and berries.  Add the water as needed.   Once complete, place press and seal wrap in a pan (8×8 if you have it), then press the mixture into the pan.  Make sure the Wrap is twice the size of the pan so you can seal them once done.   When you are done and the bars have been sealed, place them in the freezer.   After they have been completely frozen, remove them from the freezer and cut them into 8 equal bars.  Wrap them individually and place them in a ziplock bag.   For best results, freeze them for 5 minutes before consuming.

Trainer Gone Bad Tip:  Need frosting???   Mix stevia (1-2 packs) with 1/3 cup of reduced fat cream cheese (or tofutti) then mix it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla.   Spread the mixture on top of the bar and enjoy.

Protein Punch!   Need some extra protein?   Heat the bar in the microwave or oven.   Then place Greek yogurt on top.  It’s now a molten dessert packed with protein.

Keep  in mind that you can make some basic changes to this recipe to make it into hundreds of other variations.   The things that must stay constant are the whey protein, almond butter (or any other type of nut butter), water and possibly the oats (for fiber and bulk).   Get creative and make your own recipes, then come back and share them with us on this post!!   We love learning from our readers.   If you have a favorite gym bunny that you KNOW is paying hundreds in protein bars, share this recipe on how to make you own protein bars using the link above!

Adria